Top Illini head coaching candidates: non Shaka Smart variety

Well, I didn’t see that one coming. Shaka Smart had an offer of $2.5 million plus, doubling his salary, and a chance at a top 20 national job in what was the nation’s best conference this year. And he had a chance to step up from mid-major to high-major in the Big Ten. I’ve been to Richmond, Virginia a couple times so I can tell you- this denial was shocking.

The only way the decision to stay at VCU could be interpreted as a smart one is if Smart wants to be a Ram for life (and life means a decade or so) like Brad Stevens at Butler, or he’s holding out for the UConn and UCLA jobs; and now only one of those jobs looks to be open next year. high percentage of Illini nation is hard right-wing politically. They won’t like a coach spurning them to stay at Virginia Commonwealth. “Sounds like a socialist commune!” they’ll say.

Well, that’s an extreme exaggeration, but Thomas really went up to the plate and took a heavy cut- WHIFF! Just like on the football hire.

Thomas whiffed on Kevin Sumlin and had to settle for Tim Beckman as his college football hire. So now he’s got two strikes. And for a man who likes to fire people as if he were Donald Trump doing his reality show, it won’t be long before people start questioning his job credentials.

The University is paying three coaches a combined $7 million not to coach and his nothing about the former leader of the Toledo Rockets to show for it, so let’s look at who could come in and help make some of that lost money back for the program:

LEONARD HAMILTON- Do you like chasing the perfect ten, hard-to-get girl that everyone wants, or do you go for the solid 7.5-8/10 that comes on to you? In this coaching market, Shaka is that perfect ten girl and Hamilton is the latter. He’s pushed hard to get his name in the Illini coaching derby, and given all that he’s accomplished at a football school like Florida State, you have to put him at the top of the list. The Seminoles #10 over #2 upset over Notre Dame in the 2011 Tournament was impressive.

And after getting rejected by the girl you poured your heart out for, spent a ton of money on and devoted half your time, sometimes you want to next go with the one that appreciates you.

ANTHONY GRANT- The Alabama head man is reportedly not interested. Then again has he seen the scrilla Thomas is willing to lay down for this gig. “Been spending 100s since they had small faces.” Reportedly, Shaka’s offer was close to what Tom Izzo was getting.

LORENZO ROMAR- Why? What has he really accomplished?

We know the racial issue is in play here during this process, especially given the University’s history of never having a minority coach for the two sports people care about. And the unhappiness of the two trustees after the football hire. Therefore, I listed the African-American candidates at the top of the list.

However, here are a few more names in the mix:

MICK CRONIN- has revived the Cincinnati basketball program, gradually improving the team each year of his tenure. He hasn’t made a big splash until just now, getting the Bearcats into the Sweet 16. Beat the Buckeyes and he’ll move to the top of the list. Another reason he’s a front-runner: Cronin was hired at Cincinnati by Mike Thomas.

BUZZ WILLIAMS- I don’t really consider Williams a bonafide candidate, because I believe Marquette is a step up from Illinois right now. I agree with Adam Hoge of CBS:

The Marquette program hasn’t skipped a beat since Williams took over for Tom Crean four years ago. He’s won at least 22 games every year and has the Golden Eagles in the Sweet 16 this year. It’s unclear if Williams would be willing to leave — some consider the Marquette job better than the Illinois job — as the Golden Eagles put a lot of money into their basketball program.

CHRIS COLLINS- has shown interest in both the Illinois and Northwestern jobs, and I think you know which gig is superior between those two. The Duke assistant gets offers every year at this time, yet he stays in Durham. Is it because of the Mike Krzyzewski coaching tree of death? He doesn’t want to become the next branch? Collins has the strong Chicago ties mandated by Thomas, as he helped get Jon Scheyer to choose Duke over Illinois; even though Scheyer’s high school coach was Bruce Weber’s brother! Now that’s a recruiting coup.

GREGG MARSHALL- Some people believe that he’s a better fit at Illinois than even Shaka. I don’t buy the hype. He has led Wichita St to three consecutive 25+ win seasons while playing in the Missouri Valley Conference, and before the Shockers, he was pretty big at Winthrop taking them to the tourney in seven of nine seasons. I guess his resume is ok, but this is quite a step down in auxiliary plan from Shaka.

NO WAY

Reggie Theus- a DePaul reject? seriously?

Robert Smith- can only be thought of for an assistant position; which would work out well, because of the CPL connections. But as a head man…uh uh, you don’t make a direct jump from high school to college like that.

Johnny Dawkins- hasn’t done anything, why is his name even in there?

Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports

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